8-Day Signature Northern Tanzania Calving Safari - Good | Ngotea Distinctive Safaris
  • ROundtrip Airport Transfer
  • Dec - Mar
  • Unlimited
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (Airport transfers included)
  • Standard
  • 1 - 6

  • Begin your adventure with a warm welcome and comfortable stay at Olerai Lodge, nestled in a quiet suburb of Arusha.
  • Encounter large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and rich birdlife during a full-day game drive in this underrated gem.
  • Descend into a UNESCO-listed crater teeming with wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, and hippos.
  • Witness the wildebeest calving season and dramatic predator-prey interactions in an area where off-road game drives are allowed.
  • Visit a traditional Maasai village and gain insight into age-old customs, dances, and ways of life.
  • Unwind with optional activities like local market tours, artisan workshops, or canoeing adventuresโ€”tailored to your pace and interest.
  • Enjoy the comfort of carefully selected lodges, personalized guiding, and smooth transfers throughout your journey.

Overview

This immersive 8-day journey offers the perfect blend of thrilling wildlife safaris, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters in northern Tanzania. Starting and ending in Arusha, the adventure takes you through some of Tanzaniaโ€™s most iconic destinationsโ€”Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Ndutu plains during the calving season. Youโ€™ll witness the majestic African Big Five, marvel at the Great Migrationโ€™s predator-prey drama, and engage with the Maasai people in their traditional bomas. The itinerary concludes with leisure time in Arusha, giving you the chance to relax or explore the local arts, coffee culture, and natural beauty before departure.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned safari-goer, this well-paced journey offers exceptional wildlife sightings, immersive culture, and serene accommodations throughout.

Itinerary

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, youโ€™ll be warmly welcomed by your personal safari guide and transferred to Olerai Lodge, nestled in a quiet suburb of Arusha. This charming lodge offers a peaceful environment with personalized serviceโ€”an ideal place to unwind after your journey.

Depending on your arrival time, optional activities such as a guided walk through local coffee farms or a visit to a nearby cultural center can be arranged.

Overnight: Olerai Lodge, Arusha
Drive time: Approx.. 2 hours from Kilimanjaro airport

Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Arusha and journey to Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem famed for its towering baobab trees, rolling savannah, and vast herds of elephants. The park is also home to lions, leopards, giraffes, and over 550 species of birds.

Enjoy a full-day game drive, including a packed lunch at a scenic picnic site overlooking the Tarangire River. In the late afternoon, continue to Karatu, a charming town on the edge of the Ngorongoro highlands, where youโ€™ll check in at Marera Valley Lodge.

Highlights: Elephant herds, baobabs, scenic river views
Drive time: Approx. 3โ€“4 hours from Arusha to Tarangire, 1.5 hours to Karatu

Accommodation: Ndutu Katikati Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart early this morning for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site and one of Africaโ€™s most stunning natural wonders. With its enclosed ecosystem, the crater offers a high concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, hyenas, buffalo, and abundant birdlife.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before exiting the crater and continuing southward to the Ndutu area, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and bordering Serengeti National Park.

Arrive at the historic Ndutu Kati Kati Tented Camp known for its rustic charm and proximity to seasonal wildlife migration paths.

Highlights: Big Five sightings, crater floor landscapes, high-density game viewing
Drive time: Approx. 1 hour to Ngorongoro gate, 3โ€“4 hours to Ndutu

Accommodation: Ndutu KatiKati Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the Ndutu region, a prime location during the Great Migrationโ€™s calving season (typically December to March). Vast herds of wildebeest and zebras dot the plains, with newborns attracting predators such as cheetahs, lions, and hyenas.

Unlike the Serengeti National Park, off-road driving is permitted here, allowing you to follow the action closely. Your expert guide will tailor the day to maximize sightings based on recent wildlife movements.

Highlights: Predator-prey dynamics, wildebeest calving, off-road tracking

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a scenic drive back toward Arusha. En route, visit an authentic Maasai boma where youโ€™ll engage with community members, learn about their age-old traditions, and witness traditional dances, crafts, and homesteads.

This enriching cultural exchange offers a deeper appreciation of Tanzaniaโ€™s human heritage. Later in the afternoon, arrive back at Olerai Lodge for a restful evening.

Highlights: Authentic cultural engagement, traditional Maasai life
Drive time: Approx. 6โ€“7 hours with stops

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to unwind at the lodge, take a dip in the pool, or explore optional activities in and around Arusha:

  • Visit to Shanga Foundation โ€“ an inspiring workshop employing people with disabilities to create arts and crafts
  • Arusha Coffee Tour โ€“ walk through a working plantation and learn about bean-to-cup production
  • Arusha City Tour โ€“ visit markets, museums, or local eateries

Optional experiences: Cultural, culinary, and artisan excursions

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Spend these two days either relaxing at your lodge or opt for day trips such as:

  • Arusha National Park โ€“ great for walking safaris and canoeing on Momella Lakes
  • Lake Duluti โ€“ enjoy peaceful canoeing or forest hikes
  • Meserani Snake Park โ€“ a fun and educational experience for families

Depending on your interests, this flexible portion allows you to wind down or explore more.

Day 8 :
Departure

Meals: Breakfast

After a final breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your outbound flight. As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, we hope you leave with cherished memories and a deeper connection to Tanzaniaโ€™s people, wildlife, and landscapes.

Drive time: Approx. 2 hour to Kilimanjaro International Airport

Map

From $2957
/ Adult
From $2218
/ Child (2-12 Years)
  • Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking guide
  • All park fees and government taxes
  • Accommodation in lodges and tented camps as listed
  • All meals as specified
  • Bottled water during game drives
  • All mentioned Activities
  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks and beverages not listed
  • All Optional Activities

FAQs

8-Day Signature Northern Tanzania Calving Safari – Good

โœจ Optional Extension: Zanzibar Beach Holiday Available

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